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Massimiliano Allegri insists Milan “fully deserved” their point in Palermo and explained his continual tactical changes.

The Rossoneri were 2-0 down in Sicily, but fought back to earn a 2-2 draw with Riccardo Montolivo and Stephan El Shaarawy.

“I started out with a 3-5-2, then I introduced Urby Emanuelson and had other substitutions in mind,” he told Sky Sport Italia.“I didn’t want to run too many risks in the first half, as we could’ve created dangerous situations with Alexandre Pato.

“This is the first time this season we’ve been able to fight back to get a result, which has to be a good sign. In the second half we created so many chances and tended to just get the final pass wrong.

“Despite playing badly in the first half, the penalty could’ve been avoided. The lads did well after the break and we fully deserved the draw. In fact, we could well have won it.”

During the game Allegri went from a 3-5-2 system to a 3-4-3 and then returned to four at the back.

“When a Coach tries to read a game, he does it over the course of 90 minutes. I really didn’t think we’d be 2-0 down after 47 minutes.

“We got a lot wrong in the first half and the problems arrived, even if by playing badly we shouldn’t have allowed them into the box 30 seconds from the break.

“I think Pato needs to play and rediscover his confidence. We could’ve done better in giving him service. He needs to grow, but put the effort in tonight. For him just being on the pitch is like a weight off his shoulders and he’ll get more and more relaxed.”

Palermo had dominated the first hour and were 2-0 up, but Stephan El Shaarawy completed a Milan comeback to snatch a Coach-saving draw in Sicily.

Max Allegri got a stay of execution with a 1-0 win over Genoa on Sunday and made big changes for this midweek round, switching to a 3-5-2 system with Antonio Nocerino, Mathieu Flamini, Kevin Constant and Philippe Mexes stepping in. He had to do without the injured Robinho, Mattia De Sciglio, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Luca Antonini and Djamel Mesbah. Palermo missed Abel Hernandez and Milan Milanovic, but had a strong record in this fixture, losing just one of the last seven editions at the Stadio Barbera.

Marco Amelia, Nocerino and Palermo’s Massimo Donati were facing their former clubs in Sicily. Daniele Bonera was booked in the opening minute for barging Fabrizio Miccoli off the pitch and will be suspended against Chievo.

Donati was in doubt after pulling up during the warm-up and it was clear he was in no condition to play, so abandoned the match after just six minutes.

There were penalty appeals after Franco Brienza combined with Miccoli to burst into the box, but Kevin Constant went shoulder-to-shoulder. Moments later Alexandre Pato spun round on a long ball, but was closed down.

Miccoli ran on to a Josip Ilicic through ball past Bonera only to drag the angled drive across the face of goal. A fierce Miccoli free kick bounced off Amelia’s chest, but nobody was there to take advantage of the error.

A corner was cleared to the edge of the box for a fine Nocerino volley that Samir Ujkani smothered well. At the other end Santiago Garcia’s header landed on the roof of the net, then Constant’s poor backpass was intercepted by Miccoli, whose powerful finish skimmed the crossbar.

Flamini was booked for dragging down Ilicic and Miccoli curled the resulting free kick inches past the post with Amelia beaten. El Shaarawy’s header was palmed off the line by Ujkani just before half-time.

On the stroke of half-time Miccoli tried to flick the ball between two defenders, but it struck Ignazio Abate’s hand from point-blank range and the referee considered it to be intentional, pointing to the spot. Miccoli buried the low penalty into the near bottom corner despite Amelia guessing the right side.

Urby Emanuelson replaced Flamini at the break for a 3-4-3 formation, but Palermo doubled their lead with a sensational individual strike just a minute into the second half. Brienza was not closed down outside the box and unleashed a screamer that bounced into the far bottom corner with Amelia rooted to the spot.

Allegri took drastic steps, throwing on Bojan Krkic and Giampaolo Pazzini, moving to a four-man defence with Constant and Abate as full-backs.

Ilicic fired over, while substitute Bojan went on a mazy run through four defenders to sting Ujkani’s palms at the near post. Palermo’s Santiago Garcia risked a second yellow for tripping Bojan.

Emanuelson’s curling long-range free kick was spectacularly palmed out from under the bar by Ujkani and Bojan mis-hit from the resulting corner.

Milan thought they were going to equalise on 69 minutes when Abate rolled the ball across the face of goal, but El Shaarawy mistimed his intervention and hit a fresh-air shot from a yard.

That was a warning shot and the Rossoneri did get one back moments later. Bojan ran rings around substitute Mauro Cetto down the right and set up Riccardo Montolivo to strike at the back post.

Miccoli pulled up clutching the back of his right thigh and was able to continue after treatment, but the momentum was very much with the visitors now after Palermo sat too deep on their lead.

The Rosanero paid for that attitude, as Milan completed the comeback from 2-0 down to draw 2-2. Ujkani flapped at an Abate cross and El Shaarawy smartly turned in on the half-volley from a tight angle at the near stick.

Amelia captured a long-range Miccoli effort and Ujkani did the same on Bojan.

Palermo boss Gian Piero Gasperini has admitted that although Milan may have not started the season well, they will still be a tough test.

The Rosanero host Massimiliano Allegri's men tomorrow night, and the 54-year-old Coach has warned his players against complacency, as well as commenting on his own team's lowly position in the table.

“Milan have not been getting the results we've all been accustomed to,” he told a Press conference. “It is a difficult period for them at the moment, but they will certainly still be a tough opponent.

“They are at a different level to the likes of Siena and Torino, but we are at home, so we have to go for a win.

“When you look at the table, you have to say that, after so many games, we are not at the bottom by chance, but for a reason. We have to go forward now game-by-game.

“We can look back and say 'we could have picked up more points there', but we have to forget about that and look ahead.”

He also commented on the side's lack of goals – six in nine League games – and also on the recent controversy surrounding poor refereeing decisions in Serie A.

“We are a team that produces a lot of opportunities to score, we have just been wasteful,” he said. “But that happens in football. We have many attacking options, and there's no doubt we have to do more.

“Yesterday was an extraordinary day for the referees,” he added. “I think, and hope, they were just isolated incidences, and that this week they will return to normal.”

AC Milan Coach Massimiliano Allegri has admitted that Palermo will prove a difficult challenge as the two meet on Tuesday.

The Rossoneri travel to Sicily to face Gian Piero Gasperini's men, looking for a second consecutive victory for the first time this season, following their 1-0 win over Genoa at the weekend.

“Palermo are doing well,” he told a Press conference. “Gasperini's teams traditionally play good football, and they always perform well at home.

“It will be a difficult game for us, and we will have to defend well against a top quality player like Fabrizio Miccoli.

“We won on Saturday, but we must not forget what has happened lately, because we have very few points. We need to move up the table as quickly as possible, but we can only go forward thinking game-by-game.”

He also commented on some of the players who may feature at Renzo Barbera, as well as praising young forward Stephan El Shaarawy for his recent goalscoring exploits.

“Tomorrow I think Pato will start alongside El Shaarawy. Stephan has played with great quality this season, and has moved into the team really well. Pato played well at the weekend having been out for so long with injury.

“Kevin-Prince Boateng will be out with knee trouble, but Sulley Muntari is back in the squad. We will gradually reintegrate him back into the team though.”

Massimiliano Allegri was pleased Milan managed to beat Genoa “in a difficult atmosphere. So far criticism has been too harsh.”

The Rossoneri were again uninspired, but squeezed past Genoa 1-0 at San Siro thanks to a late Stephan El Shaarawy strike.

“It was a deserved victory and I think so far the criticism has been harsh considering what the lads did on the field,” said the Coach.

“We could’ve scored in the first half and there were several dubious penalty incidents. We also made a lot of mistakes in our passing, which also happened in Malaga.

“We got this result in a difficult atmosphere and I am glad the players reacted to it. I am happy with the win.”

It had been reported Allegri was facing the axe if he failed to win this evening.

“I was very relaxed because the team had always put in strong performances. We just needed to find some belief and confidence, especially in front of goal. With goals everything becomes easier. I experienced a similar situation when I was at Cagliari.”

Milan again used the 3-4-3 system that was given its debut against Malaga in the Champions League midweek.

“We are a little more attacking with this system. It’s difficult to say right now whether it is better or worse than a four-man defence. When 1-0 up we had several chances to double our lead, so we hope to build on that in our next match against Palermo.”

Alexandre Pato made his first Serie A start in eight months and Allegri was satisfied.

“He put in a good performance and was often dangerous. In the last eight months he has basically played a game and a half, so it’s difficult for him to find full fitness straight away. I substituted him because he was tired.

“I think Milan’s ‘cure’ is simply an issue of results and not performances. Our worst game of the season was against Anderlecht in the Champions League.”

Stephan El Shaarawy scored on his 20th birthday against his former club as an uninspired Milan scraped a 1-0 victory on Gigi Del Neri’s Genoa debut.

It was the Last Chance Saloon for Massimiliano Allegri after losing six of his 11 games so far this season, but Genoa had already axed Gigi De Canio this week to bring in Del Neri, here making his debut. Allegri unveiled the 3-4-3 system in the Champions League defeat to Malaga midweek and confirmed it here.

Alexandre Pato got his first start in eight months, but Kevin-Prince Boateng had a knee problem joining the injured Robinho, Mattia De Sciglio, Djamel Mesbah and Sulley Muntari. Christian Abbiati was only fit for the bench after suffering from a respiratory infection. Genoa are without Marco Borriello for six weeks, while Marco Rossi, Damiano Ferronetti, Juan Manuel Vargas and the suspended Michele Canini were also unavailable.

A very powerful but central free kick from Bosko Jankovic was well held, then Pato tried to run at a defender but his through ball for Urby Emanuelson was poor.

Milan ran a huge risk with Cristian Zapata’s dreadful clearance intercepted by Luca Antonelli, Marco Amelia punching the cross on to Ciro Immobile’s chest and lucky to see it ricochet wide.

Ignazio Abate’s deflected cross was palmed out from under the bar by Sebastien Frey and Mario Yepes nodded off target from the resulting corner.

El Shaarawy, on his 20th birthday, went on a scorching run from midfield with shot deflected wide. The corner came to the D for an unmarked Nigel De Jong, whose shot was charged down amid timid appeals for a handling offence.

Pato kept a pass in at the by-line, but hesitated on the pass to El Shaarawy and allowed Genoa to close him down, much to the Little Pharaoh’s frustration. From the corner El Shaarawy flashed a ball across the face of goal, but nobody was ready to tap in from six yards.

Luca Antonini got two injuries simultaneously, as he pulled up clutching the back of his thigh and had a nasty cut to the same knee, so made way for Kevin Constant.

Pato tried turning Cesare Bovo in the box and went down, but the referee waved play on, as the Brazilian seemed to run into him.

Straight after the restart Pato rolled a great ball across the goal, but once again nobody was there for Milan’s easy tap-in.

There were stronger penalty appeals on 54 minutes when De Jong seemed to be clumsily nudged in the back by Andreas Granqvist as he tried to chest down a chipped Emanuelson pass, then the move continued and Frey parried Abate’s angled drive with his feet.

Constant’s header was deflected out for a corner, possibly off an arm, but it was from point-blank range. Amelia smothered long-range efforts from Alexander Merkel and Jankovic.

Pato took the header when he should’ve left it for De Jong right behind him. It was the Duck’s last contribution before he made way for Giampaolo Pazzini.

Milan did eventually break the deadlock with El Shaarawy on his 20th birthday and he refused to celebrate against the side where he grew up. Abate sprung the offside trap and rolled a smart ball across the six-yard box past Pazzini, but this time El Shaarawy was there to tap in at the back post. The Little Pharaoh confirmed his status as the Rossoneri’s most prolific player with his eighth goal of the season in all competition.

Zapata nodded an El Shaarawy corner past the upright, but Emanuelson went close with a scorching first-time shot from the edge of the box that skimmed the bar.

There was a huge scare in stoppages when Immobile turned wide with Amelia well off his line, but he was flagged offside.

AC Milan President Silvio Berlusconi admits the club “needs to be looked after at the moment.”

The patron hit the headlines this week when he was sentenced to four years in prison for tax fraud, but it was reduced to one year due to a legal loophole and he won’t actually have to serve any time until the lengthy appeals process has concluded.

“I wanted to dedicate myself to a football club that needs to be looked after at the moment,” he said in a Press conference.

“As you know, aside from politics I also deal with the Luigi Berlusconi Foundation, whose mission it is to build hospitals for children around the world.

“I will have to spread my attention around all these different directions, because I intend to dedicate most of my time to my country and continuing the process of modernisation and change.”

Some of Berlusconi’s recent legal problems have seen him hit with huge fines, which some suggest is the reason Milan have had to tighten their belts recently.

This week former Prime Minister Berlusconi also announced that he would not be running for office again.

AC Milan legend Franco Baresi has commented on the Rossoneri's recent woes, saying there has been 'too many changes' at the club.

A host of star names, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, Alessandro Nesta and Clarence Seedorf, left the San Siro side over the summer, and the 52-year-old former defender has lamented those departures, claiming they are to blame for the current malaise.

“Milan this year are a different team,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “There were choices made by the board members to try and instigate a generational change.

“I think, maybe, there were too many changes made at the same time, but the fans will stick with the club.

“This is not an atypical Milan team, but we will see what happens.”

Massimiliano Allegri's team have lost six of their first 11 games in all competitions, and currently sit in 15th place in Serie A.

Inter youngster Ibrahim Mbaye is attracting interest from a number of Serie A clubs, according to his agent.

The 17-year-old defender joined the Nerazzurri in 2010 from Senegalese football academy Etoile Lusitana, and his representative has claimed that despite other clubs courting an interest, he will sign a new long-term deal with the San Siro side soon.

“Mbaye is happy at Inter,” Giuseppe Accardi told calciomercato.com. “And in December we will sign a contract that binds us to the club for another three or four years.

“There has been no contact between us and Milan, but I'm not surprised, with his expiring contract, that the Rossoneri are interested. We've also had offers from Napoli and Palermo, but there are no problems with Inter.”

“The President and I are convinced we should go forward with Allegri. The fans must have patience and understand this is Year Zero for Milan.

“We must push on and we will emerge from this moment, with this Coach. I try not to speak too much, because I am constantly asked about the Coach, but this is not our problem.

“We didn’t play badly last night, as we were organised and when Philippe Mexes went so close I thought at the moment things really aren’t going our way.

“I have to thank the fans, as they are fantastic, both the ones in Malaga and those I meet in the street. The Curva ultras were at the Milanello ground the other day and encouraged us. It is not true that they set an ultimatum.”

The most likely candidate should Allegri be fired would be current assistant manager Mauro Tassotti.

Other options include ex-Milan players Alessandro Costacurta – who today declared he’d be happy to take the job – and Frank Rijkaard.

AC Milan great Alessandro Costacurta has confirmed he would be interested in taking over as Coach of the Rossoneri.

The former defender has been linked as a potential successor to Massimiliano Allegri, and has admitted he would be keen on taking the job – but only once the current boss has turned the recent malaise around.

“Milan have not called me,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “If they called me? It's clear that I would say yes.

“I really hope to coach there one day, but only after Allegri has won Serie A or the Champions League.”

The San Siro side have had a dreadful start to the campaign, losing six of their first 11 games in all competitions.

The San Siro side have had a disastrous start to the campaign – both domestically and in Europe – but the 41-year-old believes that the club should remain confident in the current boss.

“Milan must keep Allegri,” he told reporters at an FIGC Press conference. “Any project started by the Coach needs time. Everyone has to work together to get better results.

“I do not know where this crisis started, but it should be left for people inside the club to understand and fix.

“The logic of changing their market strategy is something everyone can understand, but the current results are visible for everyone to see.

“It is also true though, that the young players that have been brought in need time to grow.”

Milan currently sit in 15th place in Serie A, having picked up just seven points from their first eight games, and also laboured to a 1-0 defeat at Malaga on Tuesday, meaning they have suffered six defeats in 11 games this term.

Some reports are suggesting that Frank Rijkaard has already signed an agreement to become the team's new Coach ahead of the game against Genoa this weekend.

Daniele Bonera revealed the reasoning behind Milan’s switch to a three-man defence. “We work with the Coach trying to find defensive solidity.”

The Rossoneri made a big change for this evening’s Champions League defeat to Malaga, adopting a 3-4-3 system for the first time.

“We thought we’d create some more density in midfield, seeing as Malaga played these one-two balls on the edge of the box.

“I think defensively we did pretty well, though obviously came under more pressure towards the end when we were looking to score.

“Unfortunately the team is paying a heavy price for every scoring opportunity and we were unlucky, going close to an equaliser with Philippe Mexes.

“It’s true that we went a little too deep as time went on and were unable to be quite as dangerous on the counter-attack as in the first half. At times a three-man defence becomes five and it is difficult to go on the counter when fatigue sets in.

“I think it’s reductive to talk about the system right now. We work with the Coach trying to find the system that will allow us a certain defensive solidity, which at the moment is missing.”

Bonera was asked what Coach Massimiliano Allegri said to the squad in the locker room after their sixth defeat in 11 competitive matches this season.

“The Coach usually struggles to speak after a match, especially as in the heat of the moment you can say things that are not accurate.

“Of course the locker room atmosphere was sad, but we are still in a strong position and have the chance to go through.”

Massimiliano Allegri tried to reassure his squad after Milan’s defeat to Malaga. “Will I stay on the bench? You’d have to ask the club.”

The Rossoneri were beaten 1-0 in Spain this evening, meaning they have lost six of their total 11 competitive matches this season.

“The first half didn’t go badly, but after the break we struggled as we couldn’t emerge from our own half due to their possession and us giving the ball away cheaply,” he told Mediaset.

“We had some good chances in the first half, wasting the final ball and making the wrong decisions. Despite not allowing Malaga that much, we still conceded a goal.”

Allegri shocked many by choosing a brand new 3-4-3 system for this Champions League clash.

“This was our first time using this system and I think it was a decent performance from the team, though we should’ve defended higher up the field.

“I think the team is more protected with this system and of course we will improve with practice. That’s not to say we won’t ever return to four at the back, but right now we need to find some balance.

“The lads gave all they possibly could. We have to improve in the final third, where we often get it wrong, but the team played a good game. I used this system so the wing-backs could get to the by-line and provide more service for Giampaolo Pazzini.”

The Coach is under immense pressure and reports suggest he will be sacked in favour of assistant manager Mauro Tassotti, though Frank Rijkaard is another option.

“I haven’t spoken to anyone after the game, but the President called me today. We all know we are in a difficult moment, I am the first to realise that, but I also say this team will recover due to the efforts they are putting in.

“We’re still in second place in the Champions League group and must now focus on Genoa, who have changed Coach and brought in Gigi Del Neri.

“Will I be on the bench on Saturday? You’d have to ask the club. I am disappointed with the result considering what the lads did, but Milan do not deserve this position in the table.

“How do we get out of this? We beat Genoa on Saturday. It’s the only course of action.”

AC Milan’s new 3-4-3 system showed an improvement in performance, but they were still beaten 1-0 by Malaga after Joaquin made up for a missed penalty.

It was crisis time for the Rossoneri after their worst Serie A start in 70 years, while Robinho, Christian Abbiati, Ignazio Abate and Nigel De Jong were sidelined. Massimiliano Allegri caused shockwaves by sending Kevin-Prince Boateng to the stands and introducing a brand new 3-4-3 system with Mattia De Sciglio and Kevin Constant as wing-backs. Malaga had a 100 per cent record in this Champions League group and were yet to concede, although they were without Nacho Monreal, Sergio Sanchez, Jeremy Toulalan, Diego Buonanotte and Julio Baptista, so Eliseu was moved to left-back.

Riccardo Montolivo had a long-range strike comfortably blocked, while Giampaolo Pazzini’s free kick was well over. Montolivo was booked for a late tackle on Camacho, then Pazzini and Stephan El Shaarawy just failed to get their heads on to a splendid De Sciglio cross.

El Shaarawy had a great chance when Urby Emanuelson sprung the offside trap on the half-hour mark, but drilled wide of the upright in acres of space.

Malaga were very dangerous on the counter-attack, but young talent Isco blasted over the bar from the edge of the box.

Moments later Isco was on target with an angled daisy-cutter, but Marco Amelia was at full stretch to fingertip it round the far post. Malaga were stepping up the pressure and Martin Demichelis turned over from a corner.

The referee pointed to the spot on the stroke of half-time when Kevin Constant went shoulder-to-shoulder with Jesus Gamez in a really rather harsh penalty decision. Joaquin stepped up and missed, clipping the top of the crossbar!

It had already been raining this evening, but intensified after the break. Emanuelson opted for two shots rather than assists for Pazzini and El Shaarawy in better positions.

There was danger as Isco threaded through for Javier Saviola to spring the offside trap and Daniele Bonera’s challenge was considered clean, as he blocked off the Argentine’s shot. The Milan defender also fell on to the ball with his hand, but that was not a voluntary gesture.

A free kick was touched on for Montolivo’s powerful but central effort smothered by Willy Caballero, while Saviola curled over the bar and Amelia smothered at Saviola’s feet after a Philippe Mexes error.

Malaga did take the lead eventually at La Rosaleda as Joaquin made up for his missed penalty. Francesco Acerbi made the mistake to allow Joaquin to go clear on a Manuel Iturra ball over the top, the finish going in off the inside of the near post as Amelia came rushing out.

Moments later Eliseu pounced on a terrible Constant clearance to unleash a screamer from distance that Amelia fingertipped round the top corner of the net.

Alexandre Pato replaced Constant, moving Emanuelson into the wing-back role. Pazzini’s glancing header on a De Sciglio assist flashed across the face of goal, as he didn’t get enough on it.

El Shaarawy’s finish was charged down after a strong solo run, but De Sciglio got a crucial touch to intercept a cross for Isco clear on the counter-attack. Bojan Krkic replaced defender Acerbi, the ex-Barcelona striker greeted by jeers from the home crowd. Amelia didn’t quite get to a corner, but was fortunate that Eliseu nodded off target.

El Shaarawy created a very good scoring opportunity, chesting down a long ball over the top and shaking off a defender to force a tough save out of Willy at the near post. From the resulting corner, Mexes flashed an angled drive across the face of goal to prompt another set-piece. A long-range free kick was touched on for Pato, who promptly hit teammate Mexes. Malaga also gave a run-out to former Milan defender Oguchi Onyewu, whose Rossoneri career never really started due to a serious injury.

AC Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has again dismissed talk that boss Massimiliano Allegri is playing to keep his job.

There have been reports that the tactician could be dismissed should the club fall to another defeat when they play Malaga this evening.

However, Galliani has backed the under-fire tactician. “Allegri will stay at Milan,” the Diavolo official noted.

“The match against Malaga will not be his last one for Milan – definitely not. Let’s end this rumour.

“We want to keep on moving forward with Allegri and he will stay. We have netted 162 points in Serie A with Allegri, which is far more than any other Serie A club during this period.

“And we deserved to get more than just one point in the matches against Parma, Inter and Lazio.

“The success of a club consists of three components – the management, the Coach and the players. I have never thought of separating these things. Thinking like this over the last 26 years has seen us get to the top of the world.

“Football consists of cycles. Look at Barcelona, they are the best in the world but they didn’t win the Liga or the Champions League last season.

“We’re currently in a moment where we aren’t getting the results. Let’s hope that we win tonight against Malaga.

“We need to stay calm and get right back on track all together. The squad is not the same as it was last season, but we simply can’t be occupying the position we currently have.”

Milan, joint third from bottom, have collected just seven points from the 24 on offer in Serie A.

Massimo Ambrosini concedes “this is the toughest moment I have experienced at Milan” as they try to turn a corner in Malaga.

The Rossoneri have had their worst Serie A start since the 1940s and face their Champions League group leaders in Spain tomorrow evening.

“This is the toughest moment I have experienced at Milan, but it mustn’t frighten us too much,” said the captain in his Press conference.

“We must be concerned and be self-critical, but also have faith in our abilities and restart from there. It is only normal that at a time like this there will be a sense of worry in the locker room, but we need the strength to analyse what is happening and where we went wrong on an individual level.

“We’ve got to have faith in our teammates and the Coach. Victories help self-confidence to grow and this team really needs it.

“At this moment each of us are asked to look within ourselves and find that little bit more. We can emerge from this situation together.

“The fans have been wonderful. They always showed how much they care about the jersey and are proving it even more now that the results are not arriving. They confirmed that yesterday and we are grateful to them.”

Massimiliano Allegri insists Milan’s “performances have been better than the results suggest” ahead of tomorrow’s crunch Champions League match with Malaga.

The Rossoneri are in Serie A crisis, though in a better position in Europe thanks to a draw and a win.

“The results penalised us, even though we have done better in the Champions League,” said Allegri in today’s Press conference.

“Tomorrow is an important match and we must focus on that. It will be important because one of our objectives is to get past the group stage. We’ll have to think about Serie A from Saturday and fortunately there’s a long way to go there so we have time to make up lost ground.

“The points in the table do not reflect what the team really deserves, as the performances have been better than the results suggest.”

Allegri tried to defend his work and hinted that the problems were inevitable after releasing so many stars this summer.

“The squad is completely different from last season with players who have different characteristics. We put in a good performance against Lazio and only made a mistake on their third goal.

“Football is wonderful because it is unpredictable and the important thing is that the team continues to play.

“At times football can be difficult to comprehend. You need results, we are not getting them and therefore it is normal criticism will rain down on us.”

Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini insists troubled Milan “are going to be very difficult to beat” in the Champions League tomorrow.

The Spaniards are sitting pretty at the top of their group after two consecutive victories, while the Rossoneri desperately need a result following dismal Serie A form.

“Against Milan we will have to prove that in this game we are ready,” he declared in his Press conference.

“We do not expect a different team, we anticipate Milan. What has come before won’t be repeated, for better or for worse. I am more concerned about Malaga, though.

“It is not for me to talk of Milan. They are not going well in the Italian League, but in the Champions League they have won four of six possible points.

“They are going to be very difficult to beat. Milan are undergoing a major cyclical change and that has taken its toll in the League, but they have been better in the Champions League. We need to be at our best in order to win this game.”

Pellegrini is keeping a particular eye on Stephan El Shaarawy.

“Milan have very dangerous attackers, they are very difficult to play against, so we have to play a great game.

“The mentality will be essential. Concentration is a basic, but then there is the technical and individual elements that can destabilise a game.”

Malaga winger Joaquin Sanchez has praised Milan ahead of their Champions League meeting on Wednesday.

The Rossoneri travel to southern Spain to face Manuel Pellegrini's men at La Rosaleda, and the 31-year-old midfielder has admitted that the Milanese giants are still to be feared, despite their poor start to the season.

“There is always the utmost respect for Milan,” he told a Press conference. “They are a team that is very experiences and with some great players.

“They have a group of players who are at a high level and can beat you in any game. We must try to be better than them.

“We must recognise that this is Milan, and they have a great track record in this Champions League.

Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini has admitted his side will be up against it when they face Milan in the Champions League.

The Rossoneri have struggled so far this season in Serie A, picking up just seven points from their first eight games. But the Chilean Coach still believes the San Siro side will pose a significant threat on Wednesday at La Rosaleda.

“It is not for me talk of Milan,” he told a Press conference. “They are not going well in the League, but in the Champions League they have won four out of a possible six points.

"Milan are going to be very difficult to beat. They are undergoing a major cyclical change and that has taken its toll in the League, but they have been better in the Champions League.

“We need to be at our best in order to win this game."

The match will also see a straight shoot-out between two of the most in-form attackers in Europe – Isco and Stephan El Shaarawy.

“These two are young people who are great players and have to demonstrate this great projection. Milan have very dangerous attackers and they are going to be very difficult to play against.

Malaga are full of respect for Milan ahead of their Champions League game – despite the Italian club’s troubles.

The Rossoneri are actually in relegation trouble at home after losing five of their first eight Serie A games of the season.

However, three of Manuel Pellegrini’s boys are wary of the quality in the Diavolo set-up.

“Although they are having a bad time Milan are still an historic club and we must show them all the respect in the world,” Ignacio Camacho Camacho stated ahead of Wednesday's game.

“Italian teams play a more tactical game and they have some great footballers such as Bojan, who is doing very well.”

Argentine goalkeeper Willy Caballero stated: “We need to play well and maintain respect for an opponent with such a long history as Milan.

“It is an historic match so there will be lots of motivation, but there will be no fear as playing against great teams motivates everyone,” he continued.

“When we qualified for the Champions League we thought of doing well in the competition, not just taking part, and now we are thinking of reaching the next stage, which hopefully we will do by finishing first or second.”

Sergio Paulo Barbosa, known as Duda, mirrored the views of Camacho and Caballero.

“Maybe they are not at their best right now, but they still have great players and a great squad,” the Portuguese midfielder noted.

“They are a very tough opponent and will not make it easy, so we will have to be at our very best. If we win we have a great chance of getting into the last 16, although there is still a lot to play for.

“However, it is Milan who will be under the greater pressure, the same as the other two teams in the group who have not got the points they would have liked.”

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi has hinted that he could make a move to Serie A in January, but remained coy on which club he may join.

The Italy international has suffered two cruciate ligament injuries over the past 18 months, and has admitted that he just wants to get back playing, whether that is in Segunda Division with the Spanish team, or in Italy.

“My first goal is to return to the field of play as soon as possible,” he told Gr Parlamento. “If that's in Spain or Italy, I don't know.

“I do not know if I will go to Roma. I just want to recover and be comfortable with my knee.

“Inter? Who would not like to play for Inter,” he added. “They are a team that I like, with a project that continues to grow.”

He also commented on the Scudetto this season, claiming it is too early to say Juventus have won the title already.

“It has undoubtedly been a great championship so far, but it is too soon to be saying that no one can catch Juve.

“Napoli are doing very well - I'm happy for the team and for the city. And Lazio are playing some nice football.”

The 25-year-old then remarked on the difficulties surrounding Milan at the moment, following their poor start to the campaign.

“This sort of thing can happen to any team, but I'm sure it will pass and everything will return to normal. It is not easy to lose the players they have, but Milan have some great players that can turn things around.”

Ignazio Abate has urged Milan to “emerge from this difficult moment like men” after a fifth defeat in eight games.

The Rossoneri were beaten 3-2 at Lazio last night, leaving them at risk of being sucked into the relegation zone.

“We didn’t have a great first half, but Lazio found themselves 3-0 up without doing that much,” the full-back told Milan Channel.

“In any case, we didn’t do enough and have to roll our sleeves up, as we cannot slide into certain areas of the table. We mustn’t get involved in these battles, seeing as we are unaccustomed to fighting for certain objectives.

“We have to get unified again and try to play simple football, playing on the counter and taking a provincial approach until we can get a few positive results under our belts.

“There was a fightback from our pride towards the end when we went from 3-0 down to 3-2, but we shouldn’t have to concede three in order to get that reaction. We must emerge from this difficult moment like men.”

Lazio nearly threw away a 3-0 lead, but further added to Milan’s misery with a 3-2 victory at the Olimpico.

The Aquile were flying high in third place and welcomed a Rossoneri side in crisis who were only in 11th position. Alexandre Pato was on the bench for the first time this season, but Christian Abbiati, Robinho, Cristian Zapata, Sulley Muntari and the suspended Massimo Ambrosini missed out. It meant Daniele Bonera took the captain’s armband.

Lazio had to do without Ederson, Marius Stankevicius and Stefan Radu. Federico Marchetti pulled out in the warm-up with a muscular problem, so made way for Albano Bizzarri.

Nigel De Jong drilled just wide from distance and there were timid penalty appeals for a Kevin-Prince Boateng handling offence, but it seemed to skim off his head and on to his shoulder. Antonio Nocerino’s curler whistled off target, as Milan were pushing forward with very little effect.

It was Lazio who took the lead on 25 minutes thanks to a Hernanes solo effort. The Brazilian went forward through the middle, turned Bonera inside out and the shot from the edge of the box took a deflection off the Milan captain to loop over a helpless Marco Amelia.

It was so nearly 1-1 just 20 seconds after the restart, as El Shaarawy ran on to an Antonio Nocerino through ball and prodded it past the on-rushing Bizzarri, but Andre Dias managed a decisive goalline clearance. The defender celebrated by pumping his fists in the air as if he had scored.

Bizzarri completely missed a corner, but fortunately for him so did the head of Mario Yepes from six yards.

Lazio needed no deflection for their second of the match, as Antonio Candreva unleashed a blockbuster from distance that looped over Amelia’s flailing hands under the bar. The midfielder, who last week earned his Italy recall after three years, hit the unstoppable right-foot strike from 20 metres into the far top corner, as it seemed to swerve in the air.

Luca Antonini tried to dribble through the entire Lazio defence, but was eventually stopped cleanly in the box by Giuseppe Biava.

Urby Emanuelson came on for the second half, replacing the disappointing Boateng. It made little difference, as Lazio added a third to their tally within four minutes.

A Candreva cross was chipped to the left side of the penalty area where Miroslav Klose had peeled off Bonera and was totally unmarked to volley in from eight yards.

Allegri threw on Pato for his first Serie A appearance since February and Pazzini nodded wide, then Bizzarri had to fingertip another Pazzo header out from under the bar. From that corner, Pato’s glancing finish was off target.

Antonini was livid with Alvaro Gonzalez for going down too easily in the box and both were booked for their blazing row.

Milan got one back on the hour mark with De Jong, as Emanuelson’s free kick was rolled across the face of goal where everyone missed it except for the former Manchester City midfielder to get the slightest touch into the far corner.

Amelia parried a Hernanes snapshot and Gonzalez saw the follow-up deflected out for a corner. El Shaarawy’s header was straight into the arms of Bizzarri, as was a Hernanes effort, as Lazio seemed to settle into their lead.

However, Milan made it 3-2 with 12 minutes left on the clock, as El Shaarawy got away from Abdoulay Konko down the left and placed a precise right-foot daisy-cutter into the far bottom corner.

Cristian Brocchi made his comeback with his first game of the season after a career-threatening foot injury and did so against his former teammates.

The Rossoneri were pouring forward in the final minutes, as Mario Yepes only glanced an Ignazio Abate cross with his head and Lazio clung to a suddenly slender lead.

Former Milan boss Fabio Capello has praised current Coach Massimiliano Allegri, despite their poor start to the season.

The Rossoneri sit in 11th place in Serie A, 12 points off of leaders Juventus after the first seven games. But the Russia man has given the 45-year-old his own seal of approval, as well as commenting on Saturday's game against Lazio.

“I think Allegri is a great Coach,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “I talk often with him, and it is clear he is very well prepared.

“At this time, it is very important that Milan go on to the field without any awe, and that the players play to their maximum.

“The Stadio Olimpico is a traditionally a good place for Milan, and I think the game against Lazio will be a good one.”

Massimiliano Allegri is pleased to receive support from Milan, welcomes back Alexandre Pato and admits he’s been won over by Lazio boss Vladimir Petkovic.

The Rossoneri step into the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening, albeit with an eight-point gap separating the teams.

“I was pleased to hear Vice-President Adriano Galliani’s comments, but the whole club has shown its faith in the squad and in me,” said Coach Allegri.

“I will admit only seven points in the table isn’t much, but this is a new and young side, so perhaps it’ll take a bit more time. The side put in some great performances, although we must improve on set plays.”

Milan have wasted numerous scoring opportunities this season, leading journalists to ask whether Allegri would like to have the clinical Miroslav Klose in his ranks.

“I don’t miss Klose. We have players who can score many goals, even if the German is an excellent striker. I have been impressed with Petkovic. He immediately understood Italian football, is very smart and has a good squad suited to his characteristics.

“We must be wary, as once Lazio take the lead then they rarely come under much pressure. Both teams realise how important this match is.”

Christian Abbiati, Robinho and the suspended Massimo Ambrosini are out for this game, but Pato returns for his first official game of the season.

“I get the feeling Pato’s return will be different to the others, as he does not have that sense of fear now. Of course, he hasn’t played in a long time and needs a while to settle. Could Pato start? It is a possibility, but I think it’s more likely Giampaolo Pazzini will play.”

Kevin-Prince Boateng and Antonio Nocerino were heroes last season, but have somewhat lost their way recently.

“Boa has never pulled back in terms of intensity or effort. Noce did well at Parma and last year did very well on the inside of midfield. He is not ‘lost,’ but it is important and I know what he can bring to the team.”

Vladimir Petkovic insists it is “laughable” to think Lazio could be complacent against Milan. “I see a team that for years has done very well in Europe.”

The Biancocelesti are eight points clear of the Rossoneri in the Serie A table going into tomorrow night’s clash.

“I find it laughable that someone could face Milan with arrogance or a concentration level not up to the task,” noted the Coach in his Press conference.

“Of course it’s not a problem if Lazio are considered favourites. Milan are a great team, which we saw over the last two games despite the results, so we must be ready to suffer and remain 120 per cent concentrated.

“I see a team that for years has done very well in Europe. Their seven points in the table do not reflect the real quality of this side. They are also coming here with anger and the desire to impress.

“Having said that, each Coach has to motivate his squad and take them to the point of self-belief where they will always be a step above the opposition, regardless of who that is.”

“The most important thing is that Lazio win. I don’t know whether it’ll be a decisive result, but we have to face it like every other game, with the pleasure of giving our all without stopping in front of our fans.”

It remains to be seen whether Mauro Zarate will return to the fold after he was frozen out of the last game.

“I just wanted to point out it’s not true that Zarate could get a personal trainer. We want all our players to follow the same exercises and routines. Zarate did warn me he might have one, but we have not prescribed this extra work to anybody.”

Stefano Mauri is eager to focus on Lazio’s match with Milan tomorrow night after he was interrogated in Switzerland in a money-laundering investigation.

The midfielder spent two hours discussing a Swiss bank account registered to his parents this week, as police continue their investigation into the betting scandal.

“Finally we can get back to talking about football and the big match against Milan,” wrote Mauri on his official website.

“I am convinced that everything will proceed without problems. I am very relaxed. After a difficult start to the week, albeit one experienced in total serenity, I can’t wait to step on to the field on Saturday evening.”

Mauri was one of those arrested in the betting investigation and kept incarcerated for five days, but has always proclaimed his innocence.

Adriano Galliani notes Alexandre Pato’s Milan comeback must be “a gradual process” and opens the door for new investors.

Pato has not played an official game for the club this season due to a series of muscular problems, but featured in two matches for the Primavera youth team and should be in the squad for tomorrow night’s trip to Lazio.

“He is in good shape and training well, so we’ll see when Massimiliano Allegri will use him and for how long,” Vice-President Galliani told Sky Sport Italia.

“Pato has been out for a long time, so clearly his comeback will be a gradual process.”

Galliani also commented on the continuing rumours that President Silvio Berlusconi is eager to sell the club.

“President Berlusconi has always said that new investors are welcome and the doors are always open. However, I can assure you 100 per cent that right now there are no buyers.

“Our books are basically balanced and at least that’ll give us the financial Scudetto. This is down to partnerships, as fortunately the Milan brand is in a great position and every year we grow in the commercial sector.

“Clearly it’s good to win, but some brands survive regardless of each weekend’s results. Don’t forget Real Madrid remained the top football brand despite not winning the Champions Cup for 32 years.”

AC Milan defender Mario Yepes believes that every game from now on is like a cup final after their poor start to the campaign.

The Colombia international was optimistic when assessing his side's chances of success this year, but claimed that the most important thing is to stop giving away cheap points.

“Is Saturday's game against Lazio a turning point? Every game is so important to us,” he told milannews.it. “We have improved since the start of the season, but we have to get points.

“I am back from the national team and am available for two big games against Lazio and Malaga. Compared to our first few games, we have improved, but we have to start finding points and moving up the table.

He also commented on his relationship with the young players in the squad, as well as his confidence in Coach Massimiliano Allegri.

“I try to do my best and help the youngsters,” he said. “It is not easy being a leader, but now that we're all back together, we have to focus on Saturday and Wednesday.

“In every game we play for ourselves, for the team and for the Coach. We want to try and bring Milan back to the highest possible position, but if we lose against Lazio it will not be the end of us.”

Lazio President Claudio Lotito is not fooled by Milan’s current problems. “We must have belief in ourselves while aware we’re facing a great opponent.”

The Biancocelesti are currently in joint third place, while the Rossoneri flounder in 11th ahead of Saturday evening’s encounter.

“We must have belief in ourselves while aware that we’re facing a great opponent. We’ve got to avoid any dips in concentration,” Lotito told Lazio Style Radio.

“Every match is an individual story and this is going to be a very difficult game. It also comes after the break for international duty, when we had so many players all around the world only returning Thursday, so it is not easy to recover physically and mentally.

“I hope the team can maintain the same approach it had against Pescara – that cohesive spirit, determination, eagerness and cynicism.

“Results are achieved through humility, the spirit of sacrifice, merit and respect for your opponents. We have to ensure this team plays a great game, on a par with previous outings.

“The great thing about Vladimir Petkovic is with him every player is a first choice. Those who might be on the bench or in the stands right now have to ensure they are ready. When their moment comes, they must prove all their worth.”

Galliani: 'Lazio - AC Milan not the last for Allegri'17.10 ||webmaster

Antonio Nocerino is confident that he and his Milan side will be able to silence their critics this season.

The Rossoneri have had a nightmare start to the campaign as they have lost four of their seven League games, while Nocerino is struggling for a regular shirt due to a system change.

“I don’t know how boss Massimiliano Allegri puts up with you,” he responded to journalists on Wednesday morning.

“We have to wait until the end of the season before making judgements. To do so now would not be very intelligent.

“We’ll work hard to get the maximum out of the season. I’m not saying the Scudetto, but I am talking about second or third.

“Seventh or eighth place is not the best we can do. We are not just any team, Milan are Milan. You have to respect us, to criticise us would be madness.

“This club has made history and you can’t just forget what has happened in the past.”

The Italian international was a revelation last season after he scored 10 League goals following his €500,000 move from Palermo. It has been a different story this term.

“I wasn’t Pele last season and I’ve not turned into a scarce player today,” he continued. “I’ve heard all sorts of things about me since the start of the season, but I’m just working hard in a calm manner.

“I’m being attacked strongly this term because I did well last season. Kevin Prince Boateng is going through the same thing. I’ll get my revenge.

“I hope the Coach changes the system, otherwise I’ll just have to adapt. I can play as a full-back, behind the strikers or on the left-hand side, but I’m not stupid – I know there are better players than me in certain roles.”

Milan are next in action on Saturday when they take on high-flying Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

“Lazio are a side in form, but we’ll take them on with the aim of getting a positive result – that could be the turning point of our season.”

AC Milan captain Massimo Ambrosini has claimed that he does not regret staying at the club, despite their poor start to the season.

The 35-year-old midfielder has admitted that the Rossoneri have struggled so far in the campaign, but is glad he remained at San Siro.

“I knew there would be difficulties this season,” he told Forza Milan. “Yet I am increasingly convinced that I made the right choice in staying.

“I listened to what my heart and my head was saying. I always expected a different season to the last, but it is beautiful being here and I just have to deal with the problem.”

He also commented on the declining attendances at the Giuseppe Meazza, as well as his ambitions for the future.

“San Siro is not going to be full like it once was, however, the Curva is always full and that is a fact that has to be emphasised. The team feels the support of the hardcore fans, and we want to thank them for their support.

“My desire is to train the youth players when I retire, but I'll leave all doors open. Let's see what comes up, but I'd definitely like to stay at Milan.”

The San Siro tactician has come in for criticism recently after guiding the Milanese giants to their worst start in Serie A for 80 years, but the former Monaco man has called for calm at Giuseppe Meazza, as well as commenting on the recent Derby della Madonnina won by Inter.

“The fact that things are not going well is there for everyone to see,” he told Eurosport. “But it is essential to remain confident in Allegri.

“When top players like Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic leave, it is normal for the re-building process to take time.

“The quality of the two teams in Milan is less than has been seen in recent years, and the reason for that is of course the economic crisis.

“Nevertheless, it was a very good match, although the Derby was perhaps a little less prestigious than usual.”

Massimiliano Allegri concedes he has been under pressure since the start of his Milan career and suggests the way forward. “We can’t keep wasting chances.”

The Coach is thought to be hanging by a thread after a disastrous start to the season with just seven points in seven Serie A games and the derby defeat to 10-man Inter, leaving them in 11th place.

“There’s not much point talking now. Our objective has to be climbing the table without thinking about the first, second, third, fourth or fifth place,” he told Milan Channel.

“We are in a position that nobody expected at the start of the campaign. We were naive when conceding some goals and in a few occasions also unlucky. We’ve got to improve our defending on set plays, but also be more consistent in front of goal. We haven’t scored many compared to the chances created.”

The players have come out in public to support Allegri, while Vice-President Adriano Galliani also confirmed the club’s faith.

“We started on July 9 with a completely new squad, aware that we would’ve run into some difficulties. I must admit, we’ve had more problems than anyone expected,” continued Allegri.

“We mustn’t see everything as a disaster if the results don’t come. We do have to improve, but these are great professionals and we will climb back up the ladder.

“It is impossible to change everything from one day to another, but we do need to find consistency in our results. This is why it was disappointing to lose the derby when we played good football.

“Many things have been said over the last few months about my rapport with the President, with Galliani and the team. I speak frequently with President Silvio Berlusconi and since I first arrived at Milan we have never had an argument.

“He understands the difficult moment and is disappointed, but he told me to stay calm and encourage the squad. I have always felt this faith in me from the club. Now it’s time to get results. I can only smile at the media furore, as I’ve been up for debate since my first year at Milan. I’m used to it by now.”

The Rossoneri struggled with a series of injuries, as Robinho is not 100 per cent fit and Alexandre Pato hopes to return after the break for international duty.

“Robinho will be very important for us this season, as he has great technique. So does Pato, who is now ready to come back even if he still lacks match fitness. Pato has matured and has a sense of responsibility, so we expect goals.

“The thing we are paying for the most at the moment is our tendency to waste chances. This is why I am calm, as the football is there and we create the opportunities. We need more goals and above all a better average of goals scored from chances created. That has a huge influence on the standings.”

Robinho has stuck his neck out with a remarkable statement after the derby defeat. “It is not crazy to think Milan can win the Scudetto.”

The Rossoneri are lying in 11th place with just seven points from seven Serie A games and were beaten 1-0 by 10-man Inter.

“You can call me mad, but in my view it is not crazy to think Milan can win the Scudetto,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“We have the team to achieve it. All it takes is two or three good games in a row and you are right back in the race.

“We deserved to beat Inter and it’s a real shame that we went straight into the break for international duty. The wait makes it burn even more.”

Robinho also stood by under-fire Coach Massimiliano Allegri, whose position is at risk going into next weekend’s clash with Lazio.

“Until the team starts winning again, the Coach will always be under pressure. If he is having problems, then so are the players, and it’s a shame he is going through a tough time. I see the Coach acting very normally, though. His approach to the squad is the same as always.”

The Brazilian striker has repeatedly been linked with a return to his old club Santos, possibly as early as January.

“I have a wonderful rapport with Santos, but I don’t know if they made an offer. I am happy at Milan and would gladly stay here for another 10 years. They make you feel like a King, so it’s easy to understand why Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva still have such affection for the club.

“Milan can also be my shop window for the Seleçao, as I want to play in the 2014 World Cup.”

Former Barcelona Coach Pep Guardiola could be on the bench at San Siro as boss of Milan, according to his agent.

The 41-year-old tactician has taken a year out of management after guiding the Blaugrana to three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies in four years, but has been constantly linked with some of the top jobs in Europe.

And Jose Maria Orobitg, Guardiola's representative, has claimed that he could join the Rossoneri, whilst also denying rumours that former Camp Nou Coach has already rejected an offer from the Milanese giants.

“It is absolutely not true that Pep has rejected Milan,” Orobitg told tuttomercatoweb.com. “I often speak with Milan, and I can assure you that Guardiola hasn't rejected Milan.

“Pep just wants to enjoy this year and be away from football. It's a sabbatical for him.

“Guardiola to Milan? Everything is possible in the future. Never say never, but now is not the right time.”

Milan midfielder Antonio Nocerino has admitted he was devastated after the loss to Inter last weekend.

The former Palermo man has conceded that the 1-0 defeat in the Derby della Madonnina was upsetting, but has indicated that, having been left out of the Italy squad, he will use the international break to regroup mentally.

“This next week should be used to recharge the batteries,” he told Milan Channel. “Both physically and mentally.

“Against Inter we lost a bad game, and I'm always sad to lose a derby, but we must remain calm ahead of the upcoming games.”

He also commented on his own start to the campaign, and praised perennially injured teammate Pato.

“This year I have had a difficult start,” he said. “Because of the European Championship I did not do the necessary pre-season preparation.

“I wish Pato a full year of health. When fit he is amongst the top three of four best strikers in the world.”

Antonio Nocerino reveals why he has not repeated the remarkable scoring record he had at Milan last season. “I was more determined.”

The midfielder was the team’s second top hitman behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic and even netted past Barcelona, but is yet to find the net in 2012-13.

“I really like scoring goals and last season was even able to get 10 of them because I was more determined in front of goal,” he told the Guerin Sportivo magazine.

Nocerino was the bargain of the campaign when signed on transfer deadline day from Palermo for just €500,000.

“It is amusing and we often joke about it at the Milanello training ground. I’m not saying that I’m worth €20m or €30m like Ibrahimovic or Thiago Silva, but in fairness I don’t think I’m worth so little either...”

Carlo Mazzone remains very good friends with Pep Guardiola and believes “if he comes to Italy it’ll only be for Milan or Inter.”

It was reported this morning that the Rossoneri had proposed a four-year contract worth €6m per season.

“He has friends here and was happy in Italy. If he does return, then clearly it will be to coach a team of great technical potential with important objectives,” Mazzone told MilanNews.it.

The former Barcelona manager worked in Serie A with Roma and Brescia, where he began a long and enduring friendship with then-Coach Mazzone.

“Let’s make it clear, we talk about anything except football. At most I told him to keep going and always keep his feet on the ground. We are bonded by a close friendship, but I do not get involved in his decisions.

“I would be very happy if Pep returned to Italy. Where could he go? Milan or Inter, there isn’t exactly a vast choice. He has had his time in Spain and I think he could come here, though I don’t know whether it’ll be in a day, a year or five years.

“A problem Guardiola might have with Milan would be the requests for players. In any case, from what I’ve read he will stay out of football for a year and let us not forget he has other commitments in his life, like being a father with a young family.

“Pep is a great professional and very focused, sometimes too much. Here’s an anecdote: I remember at Brescia I noticed he never said anything, so I told him loudly to shut up. Of course he replied that he didn’t say anything and I pointed out I was making fun.

“He said that was just the way he was. He didn’t make observations, didn’t complain. He would learn, accept and that was it.”

Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone added fuel to the fire of transfer rumours by confirming “I’d love to play in Serie A, hopefully with my beloved Milan.”

The former Italian Under-21 international has become a sensation at the Emirates in recent performances and could well push Wojchiech Szczesny on to the sidelines.

“I am happy at Arsenal and want to be Number 1 here,” he told the Corriere della Sera newspaper.

“Then I’d love to return to Italy and play in Serie A, hopefully with my beloved Milan. I have always supported the Rossoneri.”

Mannone was linked with a move to Milan this week as a replacement for the ageing Christian Abbiati.

“And finally, the Nazionale, which I already experienced at youth level, but the senior Italy squad is very different.

“I had some tough time, as in 2009 I played for 10 games after Almunia’s injury, but the manager did not think I was ready. I was absolutely furious and wanted to leave. Now I understand and have achieved maturity by working hard.”

AC Milan forward Bojan Krkic has admitted that breaking through at Barcelona as a teenager has created problems for him.

The Spaniard was being touted for greatness after making an impact at the Camp Nou, but he’s found things tough over the last few seasons.

“I’m only 22-years-old,” he told Grada 360. “Sometimes people think that I am older and expect more of me than what I am.

“But I am calm and demonstrate that I have yet a long way to go to improve and learn.”

Bojan spent last season at Roma, but moved to the San Siro this summer following the club’s sale of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Paris Saint-Germain.

“The experience at Milan has been very positive,” he added. “The atmosphere is fantastic and my teammates have welcomed me.

“There are many new players here and some very important players. The fans are closely linked to the club, they are helping a lot and with a little patience we will get things done.

“Serie A is a difficult League for strikers," he added. "It is much more tactical and attackers have less prominence in terms of opportunities, but for me it is still a very important experience.”

Bojan was also asked for his thoughts on ‘derbies’ – having played in the Clasico, the Rome derby and the Milan derby.

“All three are special and very different,” he explained.

“Barca-Madrid is a worldwide classic, I was shocked by the rivalry and the competition between the players in the Rome derby and I really enjoyed the respect and seniority that permeates at San Siro in the Milan derby.”

Pep Guardiola is not interested in a possible coaching position at Milan, according to Mexican defender Rafael Marquez.

The 33-year-old centre-back played under the Spanish tactician at Barcelona for two years, and has confirmed that the Champions League-winning Coach would not consider a move to Serie A.

“I have met with Pep a few times during his stay in New York,” he told Cadera SER. “I am sure he'll be back in football soon, and I think it will be in the Premier League.

“He would be the perfect Coach for Arsenal.”

Guardiola has taken a year sabbatical following his record-breaking four seasons at Camp Nou, and has been linked with a number of positions across Europe, including at the Rossoneri and Manchester United.

Massimiliano Allegri blamed the referee for Milan’s derby defeat to Inter. “Let’s just say he was unlucky on decisive incidents.”

The Rossoneri lost 1-0 despite Yuto Nagatomo’s red card after 48 minutes, but they were furious at several controversial decisions.

Riccardo Montolivo’s goal was disallowed for an Urby Emanuelson coming together with Samir Handanovic, while Walter Samuel appeared to block off Robinho in the box.

“Seeing as I never talk about referees, I’m afraid I have to now. The referee affected the game,” snapped Allegri on Sky Sport Italia.

“It was a technical error, as he blew the whistle for half-time 12 seconds early. There was a last man foul on Emanuelson which was given against him. There was maybe a penalty on Robinho, the Nagatomo red card was obvious as he couldn’t not give him another yellow for that.

“This is not an alibi and perhaps today the referee was unlucky, but the incidents were really obvious.

“I have no idea what the referee whistled for on the Montolivo goal. Let’s just say he was unlucky on the decisive incidents, as the goal would’ve been crucial, there was a penalty and Samuel was last man too.

“It’s not as if the referee did us a favour with Nagatomo’s red card, as he obviously stuck his arm out for an intentional handling offence.

“It’s a shame we are running into some decisions that go against us, but we can’t do anything about that. Maybe the referees are on as bad form as we are.

“The season isn’t over, but we have to fight back, use the same intensity and improve on some things.”

Milan are now in 11th place with only seven points from as many Serie A games.

“Of course it’s odd to see Milan in the second half of the table. Unfortunately we didn’t get a result today despite creating many chances and were penalised yet again from a set play.

“Inter never had a shot on goal other than our error straight after the goal and at the end Palacio,” continued Allegri.

“I cannot complain about the lads’ performance. We just needed to be a little quicker and a little more precise.

“We have to look at the performance and improve some things. It’s a shame to lose this way, but we have to accept the result and look at where we got it wrong. At the moment we have conceded seven goals from set plays and that should be avoided. We’ll work on it over the break.

“This derby has not changed anything. I even enjoyed it, as the team played very well and created so many opportunities, but we couldn’t do any more than that other than score a goal. To be fair, we had scored…

“We tried to spread the play, but it was difficult to break down a team that played in defence for 80 minutes.”

Gritty 10-man Inter won an extremely controversial derby thanks to a Christian Abbiati howler, but Milan were furious at a disallowed goal and penalty appeals. The Nerazzurri held on despite Yuto Nagatomo's foolish red card.

This is always a huge occasion in Serie A, but it already felt like a turning point for both sides who have revamped and reduced their expectations this season. The Rossoneri missed Alexandre Pato, Sulley Muntari, Didac Vila, Djamel Mesbah and Rodney Strasser, but revamped the defence with Daniele Bonera, Mattia De Sciglio and Philippe Mexes, while Bojan Krkic was preferred to Giampaolo Pazzini against his old club. The Nerazzurri were again adopting their three-man defence, but Wesley Sneijder, Cristian Chivu, Dejan Stankovic and MacDonald Mariga were unavailable. Antonio Cassano faced his former teammates with Diego Milito and Philippe Coutinho.

There was a special Milan fan in the San Siro stands too – Mario Balotelli.

The first row came after 150 seconds with Max Allegri debating angrily with the referee. From that contested free kick on Cassano, it was whipped to the back post by Esteban Cambiasso where Christian Abbiati completely mistimed his interception, allowing Walter Samuel to nod in with a diving header.

It should’ve been 2-0 moments later, as Abbiati aimed a weak backpass straight to Milito, but a combination of Mexes sliding in and the striker’s timid header ensured he got away with it. El Principe seemed almost too stunned by the howler to make the most of it.

Riccardo Montolivo’s blockbuster from 25 metres out shaved a coat of paint off the post as the San Siro crowd held its breath. Stephan El Shaarawy couldn’t get enough power on his finish under pressure from Yuto Nagatomo, then the Little Pharaoh tested Samir Handanovic from distance as Milan came out of their shell.

Milan again went close, as Kevin-Prince Boateng drilled inches wide from a Bonera pull-back. Emanuelson intercepted a Juan Jesus defensive pass and immediately set up Boateng, who horribly dragged his kick wide.

There was controversy on 39 minutes when Handanovic came flying out to punch the ball away from Emanuelson’s head and with the goalkeeper still down Montolivo fired into an empty net, but the referee had awarded a foul against the Dutchman.

Andrea Ranocchia desperately intercepted a counter-attack in the box, then Handanovic parried a sudden Bojan snapshot at the near post.

Fredy Guarin replaced Coutinho for the second half, but within three minutes of the restart Nagatomo foolishly received a second yellow card for a handling offence. The Japanese full-back stuck out an arm to block Mattia De Sciglio’s header. Javier Zanetti dropped into the right-back role as Inter went to a back four.

Ignazio Abate replaced Bonera and Cassano made way for Alvaro Pereira amid deafening jeers from the Milan fans. Robinho came on for De Sciglio, moving Emanuelson to left-back, as Inter sat back to protect their lead.

There was a double chance for the Rossoneri, as Handanovic palmed away a Montolivo blockbuster, then Boateng crossed to the back post where Boateng acrobatically volleyed into the ground and over.

Another Montolivo screamer from distance was parried into the path of Bojan, who incredibly slipped on the six-yard line with only Handanovic to beat.

Pazzini sprung the offside trap and came sliding in at the back post, but could only skim Robinho’s cross with his studs.

The ball was cleared to the outside edge of the area and Emanuelson’s angled drive was deflected just wide by Walter Gargano.

Handanovic was under siege and desperately flapped the ball off the head of Pazzini in the six-yard box. Palacio had the chance to seal it for 10-man Inter, but hit a weak effort straight at Abbiati.

Milan’s fury exploded on 81 minutes when they demanded a penalty, but instead Pazzini was booked for dissent, as Robinho was pulled back slightly by Samuel when trying to run on to his pass. The Argentine certainly didn’t go for the ball, but the referee judged it to be using his body to shield it rather than fouling Robinho, who did go down rather easily.

Another Montolivo long-range effort was deflected wide by Samuel with Handanovic rooted to the spot.

Nigel De Jong is looking forward to his first Milan derby tonight. “I am a winner and I always want to win. It’s my mentality.”

The former Manchester City midfielder arrived in the final days of the transfer session and has quickly become a key figure at San Siro.

“I am a winner and I always want to win. It’s my mentality and is about more than words,” he told the Corriere dello Sport.

“I do talk a lot on the field with my teammates, but they are clear and simple ideas, because football is a universal language. I am learning Italian and can understand almost everything if they speak slowly, but another two months and I’ll be fine.

“Where can we win the derby? In midfield, like with every big game. Usually if you take control in the middle of the park, then you can have the better of the match.”

The Rossoneri have stuttered this season and are behind Inter in the Serie A table, although there was a boost with their 3-2 Champions League win at Zenit.

“I think fundamentally our problems revolved around a lack of experience,” continued De Jong.

“This is a very young side and many players were on the bench last season only to be promoted to the first team. It is never easy to change your perspective at a club like Milan.

“We lost to Sampdoria and Atalanta, but with all due respect, I think the only difference between us in those games was experience and cynicism. We’re a new group and are improving game by game.”

Massimiliano Allegri has been under pressure from the media since pre-season, but De Jong assures Serie A is no different to anywhere else.

“I had four Coaches at Ajax, while at Man City they were constantly spreading rumours about a new manager. It is in the interests of the papers to feed those reports, but at the end of the day the club makes the decisions. They say Allegri is our Coach, so he is and we are with him.

“The truth is people forget things so quickly, like the fact Allegri won the Scudetto at his first attempt.

“As for the squad, there is a lot less quality than last season, but I still see great potential. The important thing is that we all have in our minds the desire to get Milan back to where they belong and the willingness to sacrifice for each other.

“Stephan El Shaarawy is not even 20 yet and that is his greatest gift. He doesn’t think, he just goes for it. I hope he continues like this, for him and for Milan.”

Andrea Stramaccioni laughed off comparisons with Jose Mourinho ahead of the Derby della Madonnina. “The pitch will prove who is stronger.”

The young Inter Coach won his only encounter with Milan so far, a 4-2 result handing the Scudetto to Juventus at the end of last season.

Milan have changed a great deal too, albeit in a different way to us. I think this game will be wide open and you could bet on absolutely any result. It’s a fascinating fixture,” he said in his Press conference.

“We’ve got to prepare for matches with concentration and attention to detail, though of course that is never going to be enough to win.

“The pitch will prove who is stronger between Inter and Milan. My players might be more experienced than Milan’s, but Massimiliano Allegri has more experience than me, so it all balances itself out.

“I am fortunate to have a mixture of very experienced players and some very young figures who can become the future of the team. We are at the start of this journey, so it is best not to crumble when things don’t go well. We’re in decent shape and have an important test to prove our consistency.

“Our project is very clearly defined. We wanted to turn the page and start a new era. We have no remorse for those who are no longer here.”

Wesley Sneijder is out with a thigh strain and is in Los Angeles for a week of physiotherapy, so Philippe Coutinho is expected to start.

“I strongly wanted him here and never had doubts on his performances. Marriage has also given him a sense of stability in his life.

“Stephan El Shaarawy is doing very well for Milan, but they have several dangerous players, so my team must not change its shape just to fit the opposition. I don’t think tomorrow’s result can fundamentally change the direction we are going in.”

Diego Milito said that Stramaccioni reminded him of the great Mourinho, but the Coach laughed off the comparison.

“I do not compare myself to any other Coaches. I am young and trying to learn quickly. Mourinho wrote pages in the history books of various Leagues, so it would be ridiculous to be compared to him.

“I speak regularly to President Massimo Moratti, inform him of what’s happening within the team and I like explaining my views. The President is constantly updated on the squad.”

Giampaolo Pazzini has made it clear he was pushed out of Inter by Stramaccioni, moving to Milan in exchange for Antonio Cassano.

“If I were Pazzini, I’d obviously want to prove to Inter that they were wrong to sell, but that is normal in sport. The same is true for Cassano. We know how good Giampaolo is, we simply had to make a technical decision based on his characteristics.”

Giampaolo Pazzini admits he wants “revenge” on his Inter doubters in the derby. “The Milan Hall of Trophies is something special.”

The striker was told he was surplus to requirements the day before pre-season training began and eventually joined the Rossoneri in exchange for Antonio Cassano plus €7m cash.

“Who got the better of the deal? I don’t think about these things,” Pazzini told the Corriere della Sera newspaper.

“I am very happy to have chosen Milan. It’s true I will be highly motivated in the derby due to how things ended with Inter. Would I like revenge? A little.”

The hitman did take a sideswipe at his former club, though.

“We are talking about two important teams, but when you walk into Milan’s Hall of Trophies, you realise you have landed somewhere truly special.

“Andrea Stramaccioni is at his first coaching job, so he has to grow. Massimiliano Allegri is already experienced and has won a Scudetto. I have fun with Allegri and he is Tuscan like me, so we speak the same language. When he explains movements and uses certain turns of phrase, I feel like I’m a kid again.

“It’s true I need crosses to give my best, but that is reductive, as I scored 120 goals in my career and not all of them were headers. We have to improve overall with our passing, as too often I rarely get hold of the ball.”

Pazzini swapped places with Cassano, who had been his friend and strike partner at Sampdoria.

“Antonio is a special character. In two years together in Genoa we had a lot of fun. He is a very generous person, though of course if you don’t get along with him, then you really don’t get along.

“I just want it to be a wonderful Sunday. It would be fantastic to win the derby, with my goal even more so. Who would I dedicate the goal to? Let me score it first, then we’ll see.”

El Principe prepares to lead Inter out against their arch rivals in tomorrow night’s Derby della Madonnina.

“Cassano sees the game like few others,” Milito told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “As soon as he turns, he looks for the centre-forward or a teammate making a run. He loves to provide assists even more than score goals.

“The secret of playing alongside him is to watch him all the time, because he is watching you. That means understanding what he’s got in mind and making the right run. It was never that difficult, but as time goes on we are getting to know each other even better.

“Antonio can smash open a game. He wants the ball to his feet and likes to deliver it to your foot.”

Cassano is facing the club he left in the summer and Milan supporters plan a frosty reception for FantAntonio.

“It’s not a problem. If anything, they’ll be doing him a favour. He has too much experience to be troubled by a situation like this. He just gets fired up by it. I swear over the last few days he has been the usual Cassano, joking and laughing all the time. If he feels the nerves for this match, he’s hiding it very well.”

Milito was part of the Treble-winning Inter side and is impressed with new boss Stramaccioni.

“The Coach arrived in a moment of great difficulty for the club and presented himself well. The psychological aspect was crucial, as he quickly managed to gain everyone’s trust.

“Stramaccioni talks a great deal and does so to your face. He always speaks the truth and his mind. I will just say that Jose Mourinho was like that too...”

Massimiliano Allegri has hinted at transforming Milan to a three-man defence to mirror Inter in tomorrow’s Derby della Madonnina.

“I think the derby is a different game from all the others, where there isn’t really a favourite, or if so then it is turned around on the night,” said the Coach.

The Rossoneri turned a corner midweek with their 3-2 Champions League win over Zenit St Petersburg.

“That victory could mean a lot or nothing at all. We are facing a great team with players like Esteban Cambiasso, Javier Zanetti, Walter Samuel, Diego Milito and Antonio Cassano who have many ‘battles’ behind them.

“Inter are a smart and experienced side as well as having technical qualities. We have to be smarter and sneakier than them. Don’t forget that is a crucial characteristic if you want to win League and European titles.

“What do I envy Inter? Nothing. I am happy to have the lads at my disposal, both for their quality and the enthusiasm they bring. At times we make mistakes and these have to be eliminated.”

Stephan El Shaarawy is expected to start after his stunning form, scoring five goals in his last four games.

“Is El Shaarawy the heir to Andriy Shevchenko? Now all the different comparisons have emerged, but I think he has completely different characteristics to Sheva. He has to grow in many ways, even if he has already improved so much from last season.”

Inter have adopted a new three-man defence and Allegri hints Milan could potentially mirror it on Sunday night.

“I will say we ended the Zenit game with three at the back, something we had already been practising for some time. There are situations in which the team could be called on to play in a different way. I still have to evaluate some things. It could be a way of playing in an even more attacking manner.

“We’ve got to make the crosses for Giampaolo Pazzini more accurate. It’s difficult for me to say right now whether he will start or Bojan.”

Pazzini will be facing his former club, but so will Cassano, who blasted Milan after demanding a transfer this summer.

“Cassano is an extraordinary player and I think few in the world can pass the ball like him, so we must be wary when he has possession,” continued the Coach.

“He was important for Milan, just as Milan was for Cassano. I know President Silvio Berlusconi is in Russia for work commitments tomorrow, so he will not be at San Siro.”

Inter President Massimo Moratti sees an even derby on Sunday evening, but singles out Philippe Coutinho to “make the difference.”

The Nerazzurri and Milan have both stuttered so far this season and go head-to-head tomorrow night.

“Could Antonio Cassano be the man who decides the derby? It’s possible, but I think Coutinho will make the difference,” Moratti told the Corriere dello Sport.

“I saw everyone play well and do their duty in the Europa League, especially in the first half. I also really liked Esteban Cambiasso in central defence, as he was talking to his teammates and guiding them with great authority.

“It was a very impressive performance for someone who had only ever played in that role a couple of times. I think we saw the Inter of the future in Azerbaijan and you can tell the team is growing the right way.”

While Inter beat Neftci 3-1 on Thursday, Milan also won in the Champions League midweek by conquering Zenit 3-2 in St Petersburg.

“You can never tell who is the favourite in a derby,” continued Moratti. “Milan won in a difficult arena against Zenit. I’d say we are on the same level.

“I hope it will be a wonderful game for the fans to watch. We are going into it with the right attitude, hope and belief we can do well.”

Riccardo Montolivo can tell Milan fans and media see them as the underdogs in the derby. “I sense scepticism around us.”

The Rossoneri have stuttered so far this season, but so have their city rivals Inter ahead of Sunday night’s showdown.

“It is a balanced derby with nobody starting out as favourites or beaten,” the midfielder told Il Giorno newspaper.

“We are two teams who are a work in progress. I sense scepticism around us, but that is not a problem. I only acts as further motivation to do well and amaze people.”

Montolivo also praised the new Financial Fair Play rules that are forcing clubs around Europe to rein in their spending.

“In a time of global economic crisis, it is only right that football clubs also tighten their belts. There ought to be more respect for the money that has been wasted over the years. This is a great chance for our football and our young players.”

Antonio Cassano’s agent knows “there’s no point saying the derby will be a game like any other” as the Inter striker faces his former Milan teammates.

On Sunday night it will be a very tense atmosphere at San Siro, as Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini swapped places in August.

“There’s no point saying the derby will be a game like any other,” smiled agent Beppe Bozzo on TMW.

“This year it will be a game within a game, as all eyes will be on Antonio and Pazzini, who are also two friends off the field. This time it’ll be even more of a derby than usual.”

FantAntonio has been highly critical of the Rossoneri since leaving and is expected to receive a frosty welcome.

“Yes, he probably will be jeered, but the fans should also remember that Antonio contributed to Milan’s most recent Scudetto. There will be talk of who got the better deal in this exchange, but the truth is at the end of the day it was a good move for all concerned.

“Will Cassano celebrate if he scores? It’s a personal matter and I really don’t know.”

Both sides have been stuttering, but got back on track midweek with European victories, though Inter rested most of their stars against Neftci.

“Milan have an excellent squad, but the journey and the efforts in Russia to beat Zenit will be felt. Having said that, it’s a derby with both sides pretty much on a par this season. In fact, Inter could be slight favourites, as they’ve got more petrol in the tank.”

Former Parma Coach Franco Colomba believes the Derby della Madonnina will be a shoot-out between Stephan El Shaarawy and Antonio Cassano.

Inter face Milan on Sunday, and the 57-year-old tactician is of the belief that whoever is the sharper of the two strikers, will guide their side to victory.

“The man of the derby? I have two names,” he toldtuttomercatioweb.com. “El Shaarawy and Cassano. The Italo-Egyptian is proving to be a great players, whilst the Inter man can win a match on his own.”

The one-time Napoli man was also asked who he believed would come out on top at the weekend, after their midweek exerts in Europe.

“Both sides are on the rise after difficult starts,” he replied. “Both teams are playing well in Italy and abroad. Certainly a Champions League win is worth more than a Europa League win, but we must not forget that the Rossoneri will have spent more physically against Zenit.”

Mark Van Bommel is confident that former club Milan are back on the right track after a problematic start to the season.

The Rossoneri waved goodbye to a host of veteran players at the end of their contracts in the summer, which included the Dutchman, while they then sold Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Paris Saint-Germain.

“It’s not easy to do well after such big changes, but I’m optimistic,” said the PSV enforcer. “I think that Milan will start to climb back up the table.

“A lot of quality players have left Milan, but new players with quality have arrived.

“They have had a difficult start to the season, losing two games at home, yet the current Milan squad still has a lot of talent, while directors Ariedo Braida and Adriano Galliani are good at what they do.”

Despite no longer wearing the Rossonero jersey, the former Bayern Munich midfielder still follows events at San Siro closely.

“I’m not in touch with boss Massimiliano Allegri, but that's only because I don't even have his phone number,” he added.

“However, I do speak with the players and the staff at Milanello. I talk with a few of the Milan players every week. I always have Milan on my mind.”

Milan, after beating Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday, are next in action against city rivals Inter on Sunday.

“I will be supporting Milan in the derby. It’s an important match and it’s important for Milan to make up for the lost points and climb up the ladder. I’m expecting a great game.”

Massimiliano Allegri celebrated Milan’s first European away win in two years and singled out Christian Abbiati for praise.

“It’s an important victory, but I am convinced this group will only be decided at the very end,” he said of a 3-2 win over Zenit in St Petersburg.

“The first half was very good, then Zenit made some tactical adjustments and didn’t really let us play anymore.

“I have to praise the lads, as we kept looking for the win throughout the match.”

Stephan El Shaarawy scored a wonderful individual goal, but Abbiati kept Milan afloat with a series of stunning saves.

“Abbiati made some great saves both in the first and second half. He is an excellent goalkeeper who in my two years here at Milan has done great things. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, but a goalkeeping error is always highlighted more than any other.”

AC Milan fumbled a 2-0 lead, but thanked an own goal, Stephan El Shaarawy’s splendid solo effort and Christian Abbiati’s heroics for a 3-2 win over Zenit in Russia. It's a particularly remarkable result considering Zenit's last European home defeat was in 2008.

Luciano Spalletti and Domenico Criscito welcomed the Rossoneri to St Petersburg for the second Champions League game of the group, which already felt decisive. Zenit were beaten 3-0 in the opener by Malaga, while Milan were held on home turf by Anderlecht.

Bojan Krkic was given a rare start with Stephan El Shaarawy and Kevin-Prince Boateng, while Urby Emanuelson was picked ahead of Antonio Nocerino. Bruno Alves and Igor Denisov were dropped due to poor form, while Axel Witsel – a former Milan transfer target – made his first start since joining from Benfica. Both Criscito and Nicolas Lombaerts wore face masks after picking up injuries at the weekend.

Emanuelson tested Vyacheslav Malafeev in the opening five minutes, but Bojan was offside on the rebound as Milan went looking for their first Champions League away win since November 2010.

The Italians did take the lead with a stroke of luck, as Emanuelson’s free kick from 25 metres took a huge deflection off the defensive wall to leave Malafeev wrong-footed and loop in at the far post.

Emanuelson almost bagged a second just a minute later, as he was at full stretch to turn a Luca Antonini cross on to the side-netting at the back stick.

There was no luck in El Shaarawy’s goal, though, as the Little Pharaoh single-handedly dribbled through the entire Zenit defence and fired past the goalkeeper from 12 yards. It was a wonderful individual effort from the 19-year-old, who started his run in midfield and rode several tackles. Not only was it his fifth goal in four games, but he also became the youngest ever Champions League scorer for Milan aged 19 years and 342 days.

Bojan ran into the box and fell over a risky challenge, but the referee waved play on. Zenit’s first chance came on 23 minutes with Aleksandr Kerzhakov hitting the side-netting, but then a corner led to Roman Shirokov’s glancing header and a splendid Christian Abbiati save from close range.

Vladimir Bystrov blasted well over from distance, as Zenit started to take more possession, and Abbiati held a dangerous cross deflected off Antonini into the path of Shirokov. Malafeev had to scramble back to stop a Boateng cross-shot from going over the line.

Moments later, Abbiati flew to palm a sudden Hulk screamer out from under the bar. From the corner, he blocked Shirokov’s header right on the goalline. Abbiati again got down to beat away a Tomas Hubocan header from a free kick.

El Shaarawy got back to defend and nudged over Viktor Fayzulin on the very edge of the box after a gap had opened up in the Milan line. From that free kick, Hulk’s ferocious low strike was brilliantly taken off the line with one strong Abbiati hand.

However, the goalkeeper was finally beaten in first half stoppages when Hulk ran on to a Shirokov through ball down the left side of the box and smashed the angled drive across Abbiati.

Zenit came out stronger for the second half and equalised almost immediately. As shown many times, Milan have problems from set plays and a Hulk corner was whipped straight to Shirokov for a cushioned header at the back post fairly undisturbed. He had got away from Riccardo Montolivo.

Max Allegri introduced Giampaolo Pazzini for the ineffective Bojan and Boateng’s free header whistled wide from eight yards, as he was a little in front of Abate’s cross.

Play was halted at 58 minutes because a hole was spotted in Abbiati’s net. Curiously, it was Zenit midfielder Bystrov who decided to fix it himself with a few well-placed knots.

The game was more balanced after a period of Zenit pressure and Milan restored their lead. Montolivo’s taut cross from the right was aimed towards Pazzini as he came sliding in at the near post, but appeared to go in off Zenit defender Tomas Hubocan instead from a couple of yards.

Abbiati needed a sensational save to keep his men in front, as a corner came out to Aleksandr Anyukov on the edge of the box and the half-volley was arrowing its way in low at the near post, but the goalkeeper got down quickly to palm it round the upright with one hand. The veteran celebrated as if he’d just scored and it was a save worthy every bit as much as a goal.

Mario Yepes came off the bench and within minutes got booked for an incredibly high flying tackle.

Javier Zanetti is refusing to focus on the fact that Sunday’s Milan derby may be one of his last. “We just want to win.”

The Inter captain is now 39 and this may well be his final season as a player with the Nerazzurri giants.

“I’m not thinking that this could be one of my last derbies,” the veteran told Sky Sport Italia. “I'm just enjoying the moment…

“It's a massive game with no favourites. What I can say is that we're in good shape and we're building a side that can last for a long time and be very successful.

“And of course winning the derby would give us even more confidence in our ability.”

Inter are expected to line up at San Siro with a three-man defence following a tactical switch by boss Andrea Stramaccioni.

“We spoke to the Coach about the fact that with the qualities we have in this squad, three at the back might be a solution,” he added. “And so it has proved over the last two games, when we've done well.”

The spotlight this weekend may fall on Antonio Cassano, the Italian forward who joined the Nerazzurri from Milan after putting in a shock transfer request.

“He's a world-class player,” the South American continued. “He feels at home here and we’re working to win lots of trophies together.”

AC Milan Coach Massimiliano Allegri has claimed his side have to 'improve a lot' if they are to beat Zenit St. Petersburg on Wednesday.

The Rossoneri travel to the Petrovsky Stadium to face the Russian champions in the Champions League tomorrow, and the 45-year-old tactician believes his team have it all to do if they are to come away with the three points.

“We have to prove to be a good team on a technical level,” he told a Press conference today. "But we still have a lot to improve on. Zenit are a very good team.

“Russian football has evolved greatly. The arrivals of Hulk and Axel Witsel has seen them make a great leap forward.

“Luciano Spalletti is an excellent Coach. He won the Coppa Italia with Roma, and has won the League here in Russia. His teams always play good football.”

Milan owner and President Silvio Berlusconi has claimed he has 'total faith' in the club's Vice-President Adriano Galliani.

Rumours had circulated throughout the Italian Press that the pair, who have worked together for the Rossoneri since 1986, were on the verge of going their separate ways, but the former Italian Prime Minister has today confirmed that his number two will remain at San Siro.

“I take this opportunity to reiterate my total faith in Adriano Galliani,” he told a Press conference today. “There have been some articles relating to Milan and its structure. These articles are devoid of any truth.

“He is one of the greatest men in the game and has been my friend for 30 years. I have unconditional professional respect for him.”

Former Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi has admitted he misses playing for the Rossoneri, after retiring from the game in the summer.

The 39-year-old forward, who scored over 100 goals for the San Siro club, has conceded that he still yearns to play for Massimiliano Allegri's side, but did acknowledge that he is enjoying his current position as Milan Youth Coach.

“I still miss San Siro,” he told Spanish newspaper El Pais. “I knew it would be tough, but only when you stop and look back do you realise what you've done.

“People still stop me on the street and thank me for what I did at the club, and for that I am grateful.

“But I am living this new adventure now. It is nice to teach the kids, watch them grow day by day and to see them learning from what I have taught them. For me it is a great responsibility.”

He also revealed why he decided to call it a day, despite still scoring goals even at a late stage in his career.

“I had some offers, including one from Granada, whose President came to meet me. But this opportunity at Milan was too big. Milan is Milan. I left scoring a goal at San Siro, and that was emotional for me.

“I had the opportunity to continue at the club with the youngsters, so it just seemed right to quit. I could not stay in Italy and wear another team's shirt. And if I'd have gone abroad, I would have had to leave my family.

“As it is, I have stayed in Milan, and can go out without having to watch what I eat!”

The Italy international, who joined the Russian champions from Genoa in 2011, is wary of the threat posed by Massimiliano Allegri's side, even if they have not made the best start to the campaign.

“Milan are much improved in recent times,” he told Sky Sports Italia. “We must take advantage of the few opportunities that Milan will give us. They have gone through a bad time recently, but they will make it difficult.

“We are playing well, and we hope to win the game. Milan though, have many good players and we will have to remain alert and focused.”

The 25-year-old also remarked on their Italian Coach Luciano Spaletti, who has been rumoured as a possible replacement for his Rossoneri counterpart.

“I don't think he will succeed Allegri. I know that the Coach is very happy in St. Petersburg, and has only just signed a three-year contract.”

AC Milan defender Daniele Bonera has admitted his focus is on the Derby della Madonnina this Sunday, despite playing Zenit St. Petersburg on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old centre-back has conceded that he is thinking only of the match against Inter at the weekend, and believes that game is wide open, with both sides having indifferent starts to the season.

“It will be a special derby match,” he told Sky Sports Italia. “We go into the game with better form than a few weeks ago, but the match itself has its own story.

“The last derby a 4-2 Inter win is in the past, we must now look ahead. Inter are a great team, it is a game which could end in any result.

“We feel strong, but only on the pitch will we see who is the strongest of the two sides.”